Indoor air quality in hospitality venues after the implementation of the Portuguese tobacco control law

Um estudo efectuado na cidade de Braga, em Fevereiro de 2008 (pouco tempo depois da entrada em vigor da lei n.º 37/2007 de 14 de Agosto de controlo do tabagismo), no sector da restauração e similares, revelou que há proprietários desses estabelecimentos que permitem que se fume no interior. Este facto levantou o problema de saber qual a concentração de nicotina (indicadora da poluição por fumo do tabaco) presente no ar nesses locais. Participantes e método: A qualidade do ar foi avaliada em Março de 2009, em 6 locais de restauração e similares, da cidade de Braga: 2 restaurantes com menos de 100 m 2 que permitem que se fume no interior; 2 cafés com menos de 100 m 2 (um café que permite que se fume no interior e outro que proíbe o consumo); um bar nocturno com menos de 100 m 2 para fumadores e uma discoteca com uma área para fumadores e outra para não fumadores, separadas por uma cortina de ar. A medição da fase de vapor de nicotina no ar foi feita por monitorização activa, através da utilização de monitores, segundo o método aplicado por Hammond 1. As partículas (PM 2,5) foram medidas com um medidor Side Pack. Resultados: A concentração média de nicotina presente no interior dos restaurantes e no café onde é permitido fumar foi de 6,29 mg/m 3, enquanto que no interior do café onde é proibido fumar foi de 1,1 μg/m 3. A concentração de nicotina no "bar" apresenta um valor bastante elevado (9,42 μg/m 3). Na discoteca, a concentração de nicotina é a mais elevada registada em espaços fechados (19,1 μg/m 3 na área em que é proibido fumar e 10,2 μg/m 3 na área para fumadores). Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que em locais da hotelaria (restaurantes e similares), onde é permitido fumar, há uma elevada contaminação do ar por Fumo Ambiental do Tabaco, à qual estão particularmente expostos os trabalhadores. Mais estudos são necessários para clarificar a situação do consumo de tabaco no sector da restauração.(undefined

Avaliação do cumprimento da lei portuguesa de prevenção do tabagismo no sector da restauração

O objectivo deste estudo é avaliar o cumprimento da nova legislação no sector da restauração e similares. Realizou-se na cidade de Braga – Portugal, em 2008. Foram objecto de observação: restaurantes com mais de 100 m2 (14); restaurantes com menos de 100 m2 (16); cafés, pastelarias e similares (29); e bares, pubs e discotecas (10). 76,8% dos locais da restauração e similares optaram por se declarar espaços sem fumo. A maior taxa de adesão encontra-se nos restaurantes com mais de cem metros (85,7%) e a menor nas discotecas, bares e pubs (70,5%).The objective of this study is to evaluate the fulfilment of the new legislation of tobacco control at the sector of the hospitality. The study was carried out in the city of Braga – Portugal, in 2008. Which evaluated: 14 restaurants with more than 100 m2; 16 restaurants with less than 100 m2; 29 coffees, cake shops and similar; and 10 bars, pubs and discotheques. 76,8% of the places observed had been declared smoke free environments. The largest percentage of adhesion meets in the restaurants with more than 100 m2 (85,7%) and the least in the discotheques, bars and pubs (70,5%)

Semiquantitative RT-PCR measurement of gene expression in rat tissues including a correction for varying cell size and number

Background: Current methodology of gene expression analysis limits the possibilities of comparison between cells/tissues of organs in which cell size and/or number changes as a consequence of the study (e.g. starvation). A method relating the abundance of specific mRNA copies per cell may allow direct comparison or different organs and/or changing physiological conditions. Methods: With a number of selected genes, we analysed the relationship of the number of bases and the fluorescence recorded at a present level using cDNA standards. A lineal relationship was found between the final number of bases and the length of the transcript. The constants of this equation and those of the relationship between fluorescence and number of bases in cDNA were determined and a general equation linking the length of the transcript and the initial number of copies of mRNA was deduced for a given pre-established fluorescence setting. This allowed the calculation of the concentration of the corresponding mRNAs per g of tissue. The inclusion of tissue RNA and the DNA content per cell, allowed the calculation of the mRNA copies per cell. Results: The application of this procedure to six genes: Arbp, cyclophilin, ChREBP, T4 deiodinase 2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and IRS-1, in liver and retroperitoneal adipose tissue of food-restricted rats allowed precise measures of their changes irrespective of the shrinking of the tissue, the loss of cells or changes in cell size, factors that deeply complicate the comparison between changing tissue conditions. The percentage results obtained with the present methods were essentially the same obtained with the delta-delta procedure and with individual cDNA standard curve quantitative RT-PCR estimation. Conclusion: The method presented allows the comparison (i.e. as copies of mRNA per cell) between different genes and tissues, establishing the degree of abundance of the different molecular species tested

Simple inlet devices and their influence on thermal stratification in a hot water storage tank

[EN] Thermal energy storage is a technology used mostly in buildings and industries in order to preserve thermal energy so that the stored energy can be used at a later time. Thermal stratification during the charge process in a cylindrical water tank was investigated using tools of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Simulations were validated by means of experimental measurements of time-dependent temperature profiles. The results showed that the model was able to adequately capture the experimental temperature evolution in the tank for all the validation cases. Once validated the model, simple modifications of the usual inlet devices and inflow rate by CFD techniques were accomplished with the intention of improving the tank performance. It was found that the modifications of the simulated inlet devices affected the stratification level. This could lead to improve designs and optimize system efficiency. The analyses confirmed numerically the results obtained experimentally, and it was evidenced that a sintered bronze conical diffuser can improve stratification compared to a conventional bronze elbow inlet. Therefore, CFD techniques proved to be quite a valuable complement of experimental studies. The use of low inflow, smooth out inlet velocity and operate inflow upwards near the top of the tank enhanced stratification. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.This research was supported by the Plan Nacional de I+D+i del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (ENE2009-13376). The authors would like to thank L.H. Sanchis for his valuable and constructive suggestions during the planning and development of this research.Moncho Esteve, IJ.; Gasque Albalate, M.; González Altozano, P.; Palau-Salvador, G. (2017). Simple inlet devices and their influence on thermal stratification in a hot water storage tank. Energy and Buildings. 150:625-638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.06.012S62563815

Assessment of the Use of a Selection of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Extraction of Polar Bioactive Compounds from Orange Peel

[EN] The reuse of food chain residues is topical. This revaluation can extract bioactive compounds from these residues. However, extraction involves chemicals that cause environmental damage. In the present work, an experimental design with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) has been carried out for extracting bioactive compounds from orange peel residues. NADES have a very low environmental impact. The tests were performed with five different NADES, mixed with 70% water. The results were compared with ethanol¿water 50%, v:v, showing that NADES solvents provided better extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The shelf-life of the extracts was also evaluated, based on the above tests, for 4 weeks, finding significant changes from day 15 of storage at 4 ¿C.This work was financially supported by Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain) -State Research Agency (PID-2019-111331RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).Tejero, A.; Martín-Esparza, M.; López-Malo, D.; Esteve, MJ.; Frigola, A.; Blesa, J. (2021). Assessment of the Use of a Selection of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Extraction of Polar Bioactive Compounds from Orange Peel. Biology and Life Sciences Forum. 6(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods2021-11102S176

Design and validation of a methodology for standardizing prequalification of industrial demand response resources

[EN] Current energy policies around the world are encouraging integration of renewable electricity generation into the power system. However, these resources are so unpredictable and variable that the need of more flexible resources increases. Demand Response (DR) resources may be a realistic solution, but increasing the credibility among agents by means of the standardization of DR procedures is necessary. This paper proposes a methodology based on an energy analysis of industrial processes to quantify and validate the flexibility potential of industrial customers in order to contribute to create a certification procedure. This methodology can be helpful for industrial customers themselves, energy service companies (ESCO) and DR aggregators, among others. The methodology was validated in three different factories whose industrial segments have a high-energy intensity in Europe: a paper factory (Klingele, Germany), a meat factory and a refrigerated logistics centre (Campofrio, Spain).This work was developed under the framework of DRIP project (11ENV/DE/340) and it was co-funded by European Commission through LIFE Environment Programme, Spanish Government Grants (ENE2013-48574-C1-2-P) and EU FEDER funds. The co-authors deeply thank all the participants involved in the cited project for their help and support that made possible this work, especially to Klingele Papierwerke GmbH & Co., KG and Campofrio Food Group S.A.Rodríguez-García, J.; Álvarez, C.; Carbonell-Carretero, J.; Escrivá-Escrivá, G.; Calpe Esteve, CM. (2018). Design and validation of a methodology for standardizing prequalification of industrial demand response resources. Electric Power Systems Research. 164:220-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2018.08.003S22022916

The liability of multinational companies through transnational litigation: comparative study of highlighted cases

Los litigios transnacionales sobre empresas y derechos humanos han crecido de forma exponencial en los últimos años y están desempeñando un papel central en la lucha contra la impunidad a causa de graves violaciones de derechos humanos y daños medioambientales. Asistimos a un cambio de paradigma en la lucha contra la impunidad corporativa en el que se prioriza el acceso a la justicia para las víctimas; también en los supuestos en los que no se encuentre garantizado ante las sedes judiciales del lugar donde se perpetraron las citadas violaciones. En nuestro estudio, se pretende desarrollar un análisis crítico y de derecho comparado de los más recientes e importantes desarrollos jurisprudenciales y, en particular, pero no exclusivamente, desde los casos Nevsun, Nestlé, Shell y Vedanta, hasta el que atañe a los derechos de la comunidad indígena huaorani.Transnational litigation on business and human rights has grown exponentially in recent years and is playing a central role in the fight against impunity for serious human rights violations and environmental damage. We are witnessing a paradigm shift in the fight against corporate impunity, in which access to justice for victims is prioritized; also, in cases where it is not guaranteed before the judicial headquarters of the place where the mentioned violations were perpetrated. In our study, it is aimed to develop a critical and comparative legal analysis of the most recent and important jurisprudential developments and, particularly, but not in exclusive, from the Nevsun, Nestlé, Shell, and Vedanta cases, even the one that concerns the rights of the Waorani indigenous community

Study of the influence of inner lining material on thermal stratification in a hot water storage tank

[EN] The present study has analysed the influence of thermal conductivity of the inner lining material on the stratification process in a hot water tank during thermal charge and the later standby period. This analysis has been carried out numerically by a three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. Experimental measurements of temperature profiles are used to select and verificate the model, and to later validate CFD simulations. With the validated model, temperature over time at several heights, temperature profiles, velocity contours, water streamtraces and temperature contours, are studied and compared for three different inner lining materials. The obtained results confirm that a weak conducting lining material favours energy storage in the tank and the thermal stratification of water during charge and subsequent standby period. The effect of the inner lining material on the energy accumulated in water and on the moment of energy (stratification) is potentially enhanced when the material's thermal conductivity diminishes. The use of insulating paints as inner lining for water storage tanks could be a possible solution to be studied and subsequently adopted in practice to improve the efficient use of energy in stored water. The analysis techniques employed prove most useful and enable the results to be compared and presented in a novel way.This research was supported by the Plan Nacional de I+D+i del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (ENE2009-13376). The authors would like to thank L.H. Sanchis for his valuable and constructive suggestions during the planning and development of this research.Gasque Albalate, M.; González Altozano, P.; Maurer, D.; Moncho Esteve, IJ.; Gutiérrez-Colomer, RP.; Palau-Salvador, G.; García-Mari, E. (2015). Study of the influence of inner lining material on thermal stratification in a hot water storage tank. Applied Thermal Engineering. 75:344-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.10.040S3443567